Yes, you read that right. The engine light was been blinking at me for the last 7 days — since Missoula, MT. But I checked and there were no mini dealerships within 5 states! Besides, the light was only yellow (not red).

It turned red, though, when I tried to get back on the freeway after making a pit stop in Reno. Basically the car lost power on the moderate incline of the freeway on-ramp and I was able to easily pull off the road.

I get free roadside assistance from Mini and it’s still under warranty, so they had a tow truck there in 54 minutes to take me the 2.5 hours to Sacramento – the nearest dealership.

So I waited by the side of the road, working on my suntan and sipping my ice tea. A Nevada Freeway Service patrol truck stopped to make sure a tow was on the way and that I was hydrated in the nearly 100 degree heat.

I actually don’t think it was such a bad way to end the trip. I mean, I was heading in that direction anyway, and I got to hang out and swap stories with Tom the tow truck driver, who is quite the philanthropist. I interviewed him for an upcoming UnCommon People story – so stay tuned!

As mom said, I always manage to turn lemons into lemonade!

I’ll be on my way home tomorrow and will post a Road Trip Re-Cap on Saturday, lisitng my favorite places and what I learned. Be sure and check it out!